'Queen of Scots' emerges as star of poll

The steely and polished Scottish independence leader Nicola Sturgeon has emerged as an unlikely star of Britain's unpredictable election race and could decide who is prime minister after Thursday's election.

Once little known south of the border, Sturgeon's formidable performances in election debates have made her one of the most talked-about figures in the campaign - despite not running for a seat in Westminster herself.

The Scottish first minister has criticized austerity and advocated the Scotish National Party as a "progressive force" with quick humor and a clipped Scottish accent that have cut a swathe through Britain's male-dominated politics.